Jet propelled play boat



May 9, 1961 R. s. YOUNG JET PROPELLED PLAY BOAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22, .1960

IN V EN TOR.

6 'w o W A W? May 9, 1961 R. s. YOUNG JET PROPELLED PLAY BoAT Filed April 22,I 1980 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O JET PROPEL'LED PLAY BOAT Richard S. Young, 2121 12th St., W., Billings, Mont.

Filed Apr. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 23,966

11 Claims. (Cl. 115-11) This invention relates to a novel and improved air jet propelled play boat, especially but not exclusively, for use by children.

The primary object of the invention is to' provide a safe, efficient, and easily operated play boat of the kind indicated, which aifords amusement, training, and physical eXercise for Children, and wherein the propelling air jets are produced by operation of foot pedals by the o'ccupant of the boat.

Another object o'f the invention is the provision of a play boat of the Character indicated above, 'which utilizes foot-operated bellows, in conjunction with a closed air presssure Chamber, and jet tubes leading from the chamber, for producing propelling lair jets, the bellows being operable by |the occupant either alternately or Simultaneonsly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a play boat of the character indicated above whose hull and fixt-ures, excepting the bellows, can be economically and eft'iciently made of molded material, such las plastic and compositions.

Other important objects and advantageous features o'f the Vinvention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a play boat o'f the present invention;

Figure 2 is lan enlarged Vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is -a further enlarged and 'fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on 'the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a Vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; and,

Figure 6 is a -front end elevatio'n taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the illustrated play boat comprises a preferably one-piece molded hull 10, 'having a fiat bottom wall 12, fiat substantially right-angular sidewalls 14, a fiat rearwardly inclined transorn wall =16, and a 'how portion 18. The bow portion 18 is composed of laterally nwardly curved and -intersecting portions 20 of the sidewalls 14 and an upwardly and forwardly curved portion 22 of the bottom wall 12. A rearwardly inclined Vfiat Vbow deck wall 24 closes the upper end of the 'bow portion 18, 'and with a Vertical transverse partition wall 26, which extends between and is fixed to' the bottom wall 112 and the sidewalls '14, defines 'an air pressure chamber 28 within the how portion 18. As shown in Figure 2, the bow deck wall 24 extends .rearwardly beyond the paitition Wall 26 and provides a cowl which extends across the top of the hull immediately behind the partition Wall 26. Extending 'across the top of the hull 10 and forwardly from Mice the transom wall 16, is a sho'rt horizontal rear deck wall 30. An operatofs seat 32 is mounted on the 'hull bottom Wall 12 between and is longitudinally spaced from the deck walls 30 and 24, and can comprise a seat plate 34 supportably spaced above the bottom wall 12, on legs 36, and an upstanding rearwardly inclined back 38, lthe seat components b'eing extended across the interior o'f the hull 10, between its sidewalls 1'4, and preferably depressed below the top of the hull.

A rudder 40 having an upstanding shaft 42, pivotally supported, as indicated at 44, on the rear side of the transom wall l16, vhas a tiller handle '46 on its upper end, which extends forwardly over the rear or aft deck 'Wall 30, within reach of an occupant of the seat '32, fo'r normal operation. Alternatively, the rudder 40 can be operated by suitable cable means (not shown) -Which is Wound around a drum 43 on a steering shaft 50, which is supportably journalled in a bracket 52 on Vthe rear side of the partition wall 26, and a lbracket 54 depending from the forward deck wall 24. T'ne steering shaft '50 is disposed ata do'wnwardly inclined angle, and has fixed on its upper end, a steering wheel 56.

-Jet pipes 58, which can be separate from the hull 10, or molded in the sidewalls 14 thereof, if desired, extend longitudinally along the sidewalls 14, near the upper edges thereof, and have open forward ends 60 which are registered with openings 62 in the upper part of the Partition wall 26, to which the pipes are suitably secured, as indicated at 64. At their rear ends, the pipes 58 have downwardly and inwardly extending Vertical portions 66, located near the 'transom plate 16, =which terminate, at their lower ends, in ho'rizontal, downwardly extendng nozzles 68 which extend through the lower part of the transom wall 16, near the hull bottom wall 12, at locations close to and equally laterally spaced lfrom the axis of the rudder 40, the nozzles extending rearwardly from the transom plate 16 and being suitably secured thereto, as indicated 'at 70.

For supplying air under pressure to the chamber 28, fo'r delivery through the pipes 58, to the nozzles 68, lfor propelling the boat, two similar bellows assem-blies 72 are provided, and are located at opposite sides of the steering shaft 50, and supported in forwardly declining positions, above the bottom wall 12, on ramps 74, which .'are fixed to' the bottom wall 12 and to the partition wall 26, and are spaced forwardly from the seat 32.

The bellows yassemblies 72, as shown in detail in Figures 4 to 6, comprise substantially three-quarter uniformly cylindrical hollow, longitudinally elongated guides 76, having spaced upper edges 78, defining open tops for the guides. The |botto'ms of the sidewalls of lthe guides 76 are suitabxly fixed to the tops of the ramps 74, so that the guides 76 are forwardly and downwardly canted, with their open elevated rear ends 82 located on a level to be easily reached by feet of an operator seated upon the seat 32.

Slidably enclosed in the guides 76 are flexible bellows 84, having corrugated sidewalls 86 wherein convolutions 88 of helical bellows expanding Springs 90 are embedded, as indicated at 92. The bellows 84 have angled forward ends having internal annular fianges 94 therein which are suitably secured to an anchoring ring 96, the ring 96 being suitably secured to the rear side of the partition wall 26. The openings 98 of the rings are registered with larger diameter openings 100 formed in the partition Wall 26. Suitably hinged, as indicated at 102, on the upper part of the rings 96, at the forward sides thereof, are pendant flap valves 104 having sealing gasket rings 106 on their rear sides, to engage the rings 96 when the valves are closed. Valve-closing Vertical leaf Springs 108 are fixed at their upper ends, as indicated at 110, to the rings 96-,

are bowed between their ends, and have free lower ends 1'12 which bear against the forward sides of the valves 104, the valves 104 being free to work through the partition wall openings 100.

The rear ends of the bellows 84 have internal fianges 1-14 thereon to which are secured rear pedal mounting rings 1-16, on whose rear sides are fixed horizontally adjustable, vertically spaced upper and lower pedal brackets 118 and 120, respectively, which are fixed to upper and lower portions of Vertical, forwardly angled pedal plates 122.

The openings 124 of the mounting rings 116 are centered with respect to the bores of the bellows 84, and are, at times, closed by rear fiap valves 124, which are hinged, at their upper ends, as indicated at 126, to upper parts of the rings 116, above their openings, to the forward sides of these rings, and have gasket sealing rings 128 on their rear sides to bear against the forward sides of the rings when these valves are closed. Bowed Vertical Valveclosing leaf Springs 130 are -fixed at their upper ends, as indicated at 132, above the valves 124, to the forward sides of the rings 116, and have free lower ends 134 bearing against the forward sides of the valves v124.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that forward foot pressure on the pedal plates 122, by an operator of the boat, compresses the bellows 84 forwardly, in the guides 76, and air is thereby compressed into the chamber 28, and causes air to jet rearwardly through the nozzles into the water W and produces forward motion of the boat in the water, the nozzles 68 being located below the surface of the water, when the boat is occupied. As the bellows 8-4 are thus compressed, the rear flap valves 124 close, and the forward fiap valves 104 open, to pass air compressed in the bellows into the chamber 28. As foot pressure on the bellows is relaxed, the bellows expanding sprngs 99 expand the bellows rearwardly, the forward valves 104 are closed, and the rear valves 124 are opened, so as to seal air present in the chamber 28, and recharge the bellows with outside air through the rear ends of the bellows. As the bellows thus become recharged with air, the rear valves 124 are closed by their Springs 130.

'It will be understood that the steering action of the rudder 40 is substantially enhanced by the impingement on the rudder, as it is turned to either side, of a stream of air and water ssuing from the jet 68 at that side. It will also be understood that the bellows can be operated simultaneously or'alternatively, at the option of the occupant of the boat.

While there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and footoperated bellows means within the hull behind said chamber and communicating with the chamber.

2. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and 'a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said chamber and communicating with the chamber, said nozzle means comprising a pair-*of laterally spaced nozzles located at opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the hull, and a rudder hinged on said transom wall between the nozzles. v

3. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said chamber and communicating with the chamber, said conduit means comprising air pipes located along opposite side walls of the hull, and said bellows means comprising bellows assemblies located at opposite sides of the hull and communicating individually with the air pressure chamber.

4. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure chamber Within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said chamber and communicating with the chamber, said bow portion comprising forwardly converging parts of the hull sidewalls and an upwardly curved part of the bottom wall, a Vertical transverse partition wall extending between the bottom wall and the hull sidewalls and with said sidewall and bottom wall parts defining said air pressure chamber.

5. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said chamber and communicating with the chamber, said bow portion comprising forwardly converging parts of the hull sidewalls and an upwardly curved part of the bottom wall, a Vertical transverse partition wall extending between the bottom wall and the hull sidewalls and with said sidewall and bottom wall parts defining said air pressure chamber, said conduit means comprising air pipes extending along the hull sidewalls, the forward ends of the pipes traversing said parttion wall, said bellows means comprising laterally spaced bellows assemblies communicating individually with said chamber through said partition wall.

6. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said chamber and communicatng with the chamber, said bellows means comprising a longitudinally elongated hollow guide mounted on the hull bottom wall, a longitudinally collapsible spring-expanded bellows slidably engaged in the guide, said bellows having an open forward end secured to a part of said Chamber and communicating therewith, said bellows having an open free rear end, a forward valve mounted on and normally closing the forward end of the bellows, a rear valve mounted on and normally closing the rear end of the bellows, and a foot pedal mounted on and extending rearwardly from the rear end of the bellows.

7. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, side walls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure Chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said Chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated hellows means within the hull behind said Chamber and communicating with the Chamber, said bellows means comprising a longitudinally elongated hollow guide mounted on the hull bottom Wall, a longitudinally collapsible spn'ng-expanded bellows slidably engaged in the guide, said bellows having an open forward end secured to a part of said Chamber and communicating therewith, said bellows having an open free rear end, a forward valve mounted on and normally closing the forward end of the bellows, a rear valve mounted on and normally closing the rear end of the bellows, and a foot pedal mounted on and extending rearwardly from the rear end of the bellows, said bellows having rigid rings on its ends, said valves being spring-Closed flap valves severally hinged on the rings.

8. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a how portion Composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure Chamber within said how portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said Chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said Chamber and communicating with the Chamber, said how portion comprising forwardly Converging parts of the hull sidewalls and an upwardly curved part of the bottom wall, a Vertical transverse partition wall extending between the bottom wall and the hull sidewalls and with said sidewall and bottom wall parts defining said air pressure Chamber, said conduit means comprising air pipes extending along the hull sidewalls, the forward ends of the pipes traversing said partition wall, said bellows means comprising laterally spaced bellows assemblies communicating individually with said Chamber through said partition wall, said bellows assemblies comprising longitudinally elongated hollow guides fixedly supported on the hull bottom wall behind the partition wall, longitudinally Collapsible spring-expanded bellows slidably engaged in the guides, said bellows having open forward and rear ends, said partition wall having openings with which the forward ends of the bellows are registered, concentric forward and rear rigid rings fixed on related end of the bellows, the forward rings being fixed to the partition wall, forward and rear spring-Closed valves normally closing the forward and rear ends of the bellows, and Vertical pedal plates mounted on and extending rearwardly from the rear rings.

9. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, side walls, a transom wall, and a bow portion Composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure Chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said Chamber and communicating with the chamber, said bow portion comprising forwardly converging parts of the hull sidewalls and an upwardly curved part of the bottom wall, a Vertical transverse partition wall extending between the bottom wall and the hull sidewalls and with said sidewall and bottom wall parts defining said air pressure chamber, said conduit means comprising air pipes extending along the hull sidewalls, the forward ends of the pipes traversing said partition wall, said bellows means comprising laterally spaced bellows assemblies communicating individually with said vChamber through said partition wall, said bellows assemblies comprising longitudinally elon'gated hollow guides fixedly supported on the hull bottom wall behind the partition wall, longitudinally Collapsible spring-expanded bellows slidably engaged in the guides, said bellows having open forward and rear ends, said partition wall having openings with which the forward ends of the bellows are registered, Concentric forward and rear rigid rings fixed on related ends of the bellows, the forward rings being fixed to the partition wall, forward and rear spring-Closed valves normally closing the forward and rear ends of the bellows, and Vertical pedal plates mounted on and extending rearwardly from the rear rings, said valves being flap valves hinged on related ones of the rings.

10. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion composed of forward parts of the side walls and the bottom wall, an air pressure Chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly from said Chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating with said chamber, nozzle means having a forward end communicating with said Chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom wall, and foot-operated bellows means within the hull behind said Chamber and communicating With the Chamber, said how portion comprising forwardly Converging parts of the hull sidewalls and an upwardly curved part of the bottom wall, a Vertical transverse partition wall extending between the bottom wall and the hull side walls and with said sidewall and bottom wall parts defining said air pressure chamber, said conduit means comprising air pipes extending along the hull sidewalls, the forward ends of the pipes traversing said partition wall, said bellows means comprising laterally spaced bellows assemblies communicating individually with said Chamber through said partition wall, said bellows assemblies comprising longitudinally elonga-ted hollow guides fixedly supported on the hull bottom wall behind the partition Wall, longitudinally Collapsible spring-expanded bellows slidably engaged in the guides, said bellows having open forward and rear ends, said partition wall having openings with which the forward ends of the bellows are registered, Concentc forward and rear rigid rings fixed on related ends of the bellows, the forward rings being fixed to the partition wall, forward and rear spring-closed valves normally closing the forward and rear ends of the bellows, and Vertical pedal plates mounted on and extending rearwardly from the rear rings, said valves being fiap valves hinged on related ones of the rings, and a Vertical rudder pivoted centrally on the rear side of the transom wall, the nozzles of the air pipes 'being located at opposite sdes of the rudder.

11. A jet propelled boat comprising a hull having a bottom Wall, sidewalls, a transom wall, and a bow portion Composed of forward parts of the sidewalls and the bottom wall, an air pressure Chamber within said bow portion, longitudinal air conduit means extending rearwardly lfrom said Chamber, said conduit means having a forward end communicating wtih said Chamber, nozzle means on the rear end of the conduit means extending rearwardly through a lower part of the transom walL'and foot-'operated bellows means within the hull behind said Chamber and eomniuncatng With the chamber, said eonduit means'comprsng air ppes located along opposite side walls of the hull, and said bellows means comprisng bel'lows assemblies located at oppo- 8 a site sides of the hull and communcating ndividually With the air pressure Chamber, anda seat mounted on the hull bottom wall and spaced between the transom wall and the bellows means.

No references cted. 

